This mid-July, in the soft glow of a glorious South African sunset across this beautiful KwaZulu Natal sand forest of my newly found Hluhluwe Happy Place, I find myself reflecting on the tapestry of influences that have shaped my life. The recent loss of my mentor, Uncle Dave Rushworth, alongside the haunting melodies of Johnny Clegg, and the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela, weave a story of resilience, connection, and hope.

Uncle Dave was not just a mentor but a bridge to the wild heart of Africa. My first journey to Hoedspruit at age 13 to meet him and his family, was more than a physical passage; it was an awakening. Through the years and the relatively small pockets of time I got to spend with him and Aunty Julienne at Trackers, his teachings about bushlore and the intricate beauty of the Lowveld became the rhythm of my soul. Uncle Dave taught me to face my fears, to embrace the wildness within, and to find solace under the African sky. His legacy is etched in the landscape of my memories, a guidepost in my journey. It is because of him and all he openly shared with me of his bush wisdom, that Hoedspruit was my original happy place, and always will be. I have deep roots there, a geography of soul connection. It continues to show up in my art and in my writing.

As I reflect on these memories, the music of Johnny Clegg resonates deeply. His songs, rich with the spirit of Africa, echo the same themes of belonging and identity that Uncle Dave instilled in me. Clegg’s words about being “Scatterlings of Africa” remind me of the journey we all undertake to find our place in the world. Words so indelible, I have them inked into my skin. His music, like the land he sang of, is a testament to the resilience and unity that transcends borders.

This reflection is especially poignant as we honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy on Mandela Day. Mandela, a towering figure of hope and reconciliation, reminds us of the power of unity and shared humanity. In a world still grappling with inequity and division, his call for solidarity and action is more relevant than ever. Just as Uncle Dave nurtured my wild heart, Mandela’s spirit encourages us all to nurture the world around us, to combat poverty and injustice with compassion and courage.

The convergence of these influences—Uncle Dave’s mentorship, Clegg’s music, and Mandela’s legacy—has shaped my wild heart into one that seeks wild connection and soul purpose. They remind me that life, indeed, is a magic thing.

Though Uncle Dave has passed, his spirit lives on in the wild places he loved, in the lessons he taught, and in the heart he helped to shape. As I listen to the whispering song of the wind in the grass, I carry his memory forward, embracing the magic and mystery of life.

Rest in peace, dear Uncle Dave. Your legacy, like Mandela’s and Clegg’s, is etched in the stars and in the story of my life. Thank you for teaching me that life is, indeed, a magic thing.